Allie Nimmons is a self-taught WordPress user since 2014. She is the Support and Customer Success Buff at WP Buffs and a GoDaddy Speaker Ambassador. She is mildly obsessed with lists and wants to make the internet approachable and accessible to all.
Michele: What do you do in the WordPress ecosystem?
Allie: I work for WPBuffs, I am currently organizing a WordCamp, and I complain about diversity a lot
Michele: How did you get involved with WordPress?
Allie: I started using WordPress at an agency I used to work at because that was what they used to build sites. I got involved with the community through attending, then speaking at, WordCamp Miami.
Michele: Please tell me one story of someone who has inspired you within the WordPress Community?
Allie: It’s hard for me to think of someone who doesn’t. As I’ve gotten to know people, I see where they’ve come from and how hard they work and it’s hard not to be inspired by them. One person who stands out most is Olivia Bisset. Her father organized WordCamp Miami for 10 years and she was exposed to the community through him. She is currently in high school, she codes, she speaks at WordCamps… I find her incredibly inspirational.
Michele: What does the Open Source Community mean to you?
Allie: It means something bigger than the sum of its parts. You participate in the WordPress community and, hopefully, you realize that this is bigger than you. There is a feeling of collaboration and dependence and generosity and mindfulness that I haven’t found in many other places.
Michele: Please name some of your favorite plugins.
Allie: GiveWP and Yoast SEO are probably my favorites.
Michele: Do you have a favorite theme or framework you like to use?
Allie: Divi
Michele: If you could change one thing in WordPress, what would it be?
Allie: We can be a cliquish bunch. Part of that is human nature, but part of it isn’t. If I could change one thing, it would be making sure that everyone made more of an effort to reach out to new people and bring them into the fold, just for the sake of it.
Michele: What is your most memorable WordPress moment?
Allie: Speaking at WordCamp US. I was invited to create and present a workshop about diversity with 3 other people. Knowing that WCUS is a coveted opportunity, it was an honor and something I’ll never forget.
Michele: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone just getting started with WordPress?
Allie: There are so many people out there who want you to learn, to grow, to create, and be involved. There can be competition sometimes. But for the most part, there are people in this community whose entire job is to provide help and educational resources for someone in your exact position.
Michele: What do you think is in store for the future of WordPress?
Allie: I’m not sure. WCUS was an interesting look at the more corporate side of the community. I heard a lot of talk about how things are shifting more toward that side of things. As we grow, the home-town WordCamp feeling gets lost. I hope that things don’t go that way.
Michele: Just for fun, share one memory that makes you proud to be a part of the WordPress Community.
Allie: I love how the most random things can form a friendship in this community. Like giving a fake-black eye to someone on Halloween! (I gave Michele a black eye!)
You can find Allie Nimmons at AllieNimmons.com
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